The Baron:Mr. Farlow first tied the original Baron in the mid 19th Century. The Baron is one of those flies that has had a few variations of the original become commonly tied by today's tiers. The Baron as designed by Mr. Farlow is one of the few salmon flies that incorporates all the usual parts such as veilings, sides, cheeks, horns, etc. Mr. The original Baron is a true Classic Salmon Fly in its true sense and and even the fariataion are all now considered classics. Farlow's version is as follows.

Tag: &nbsp&nbsp

Silver twist and dark red-claret silk.

Tail: &nbsp&nbsp

Golden pheasant topping.

Butt: &nbsp&nbsp

Black ostrich herl.

Body: &nbsp&nbsp

In two equal sections: First half with silver flat tinsel ribbed with silver oval tinsel and butted with Indian crow extending to butt and black ostrich herl. Second half with black silk ribbed with silver oval tinsel.

George M. Kelson talks about the Baron being one of his favorites and an excellent general use fly. Mr. Kelson also describes another popular version of the Baron, the Blue Baron. It differs from the original version in that blue is predominating in the fly. The Blue Baron is tied in the following manner.

Tag: &nbsp&nbsp

Silver twist and claret silk.

Tail: &nbsp&nbsp

Golden pheasant topping and chatterer.

Butt: &nbsp&nbsp

Black ostrich herl.

Body: &nbsp&nbsp

In two equal sections: First half with silver oval tinsel and butted with small toucan feathers extending to butt
and black ostrich herl. Second half with blue silk floss.

Dr. Pryce-Tannatt descries still another version of the Baron, adding an Indian crow feather and a chatterer feather to the tail. In Dr. Pryce-Tannatt's version the major difference is the construction of the wing. The wing is constructed of mixed fibers of golden pheasant with sections of scarlet, blue and yellow dyed swan, florican bustard, speckled bustard, gray turkey tail and golden pheasant tail. In the sides he incorporates married sections of teal and barred wood duck. Above the wing a thin brown mallard roof and a topping over all finish the wing. Dr. Pryce-Tannatt finishes off his version of the Baron with a thread head and does not incorporate the ostrich herl in his head.

As you can see even the masters of old tied flies with the same name in many different ways and who are we to say which way is best. They all can be called Classics in their own right.